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In Ethiopia, the average yield of potato is far below the potential due to different problems like in low soil fertility. Hence, this research was done to evaluate the effects of blended NPS fertilizer rates on yield and yield components of potato. The study was conducted at Abaso Kotu, Dessie Zuria district, Ethiopia, during dry season of 2015. The experiment was consisted a factorial combination of two late maturing potato varieties (Belete and Local) and six NPS fertilizer rates (0:0 (T1), 111:89.7:0 (T2), 111:89.7:16.52 (T3), 55:89.7:16.52 (T4), 111:44.85:8.26 (T5) and 55:44.85, 8.26 (T6)) kg ha-1 and Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications was used. The highest potato plant height was recorded on 111: 89.7:16.52 (T3) kg ha-1 of NPS fertilizer rate. Belete variety supplied with 111: 89.7:16.52 (T3) kg ha-1 of NPS fertilizer rate recorded the maximum days (124.3) to maturity of potato. Similarly, Belete variety recorded the higher biomass than local variety. The 111:89.7:16.52 (T3) kg ha-1 and 55.5:89.7:16.52 (T4) kg ha-1 NPS fertilizer rates showed the highest above ground biomass and underground biomass of potato, respectively. The highest average tuber number per hill, tuber weight per hill, marketable, unmarketable and total tuber yield were recorded on potato which was applied with 55.5: 89.7:16.52 (T3) kg ha-1 of NPS fertilizer rate. It is concluded that 55.5:89.7:16.52 (T4) kg ha-1 NPS fertilizer rate application is recommended for the production of potato varieties at Abaso Kotu, Dessie Zuria District Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroponics is a technology that can contribute to fulfilling demand for vegetables year-round even where normal agricultural practices cannot be undertaken. However, it is still in its nascent stage and crop production techniques for lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) have not been standardized. Moreover, effect of organic concoction in conjunction with nutrient solution on qualitative and quantitative parameters of plant needs to be established. An experiment was carried out to examine the effect of Hoagland Nutrient Solution (HNS) and jeevamrut (made from 10 kg cow dung plus 10 L cow urine added to 100 L of water plus 2 kg jaggery, prepared filtered, boiled, sugarcane juice which is concentrated and cooled to produce jaggery blocks plus 2 kg of flour and a small amount of soil fermented for 7 days) on growth, yield and quality of lettuce using Nutrient Film Technique compared to grow bags. Treatment with Hoagland Nutrient Solution+5% application of jeevamrut in Nutrient Film Technique increased numbers of leaves, root length, leaf area and yield by 40, 34, 24 and 24%, respectively, over the control (fertigation with Hoagland Nutrient Solution in grow bags). The water used for hydroponics was 22 times less compared to grow bags. Growing lettuce in hydroponics fertilized with Hoagland Nutrient Solution+5% application of jeevamrut using the Nutrient Film Technique produced good quality lettuce with higher yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]